Samsung Note 4 rundown and then some

Last night, Samsung gathered members of the press to watch the unveiling of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4. We were expecting the Note, and we got it, but there was so much more. First off, though, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 itself.

The device also has a few extra features that were shows us at the launch. Apart from a batter chassis, back, and larger screen, the Note 4 also refines the “note” side of the device further. Access to the note features, such as multi-window have been vastly improved. Instead of having to access a complicated menu that might keep most people from making the most of the powerful multitasking abilities of the note, you can now just give a compatible window a quick tap and drag to get it to pop into windowed mode. The S Pen has also been improved with more precise pressure sensitivity, allowing it to feel and perform more like an actual pen writing on actual paper. You can also use it like a mouse, to click and drag to select multiple items.

The S Note widget has also been improved, so it now lets you write straight on the widget without having to launch the application. It also lets you type, or speak notes.

The camera has also been improved. Aside from better resolution, it now works as the perfect note-taking app. You can take a photo of, say, a blackboard, and even though you don’t manage to take the shot square to the board, the app will straighten it out for you. You can then write straight onto the photo, greatly simplifying the process.

The front camera has been improved, allowing 60 percent more light in. It also has a wide, 90-degree FOV, but if that isn’t enough, you can activate the Panoramic Selfie mode that lets you sweep a larger 120-degree selfie. You can also use the heart rate sensor as a shutter button, or enable face detection that snaps the photo when the device detects a face in a pre-defined area in the frame.

One of the features on the device that got everyone’s attention was fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 supports quick charging, allowing it to charge the 322o mAh battery to 50 percent from a flat battery in about half an hour.It was clarified that this feature is a function of the combination of the charger and device, so older Note users shouldn’t get their hopes up.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will be available in October, in white, black, pink, and gold.

There are a few other devices they revealed, but we’ll get to those in a bit. Check back in a little while.

Sign up for exclusive access to our online promotions and to get regular email updates on the latest technology news.

WHAT’S INSIDE

There’s barely two months left to get your holiday gifts in order. With the rush of the season—including deadline buzzer beaters for company shutdowns, more vehicle standstills, greater mall foot traffic, and fleeting daylight—it can be daunting to decide what to give you and yours. Don’t worry. As always, we’ve got your back with our November Holiday Wishlist issue.

We’ve got the scene’s latest toys in our Parade and Wishlist section, all sure to put a smile on the faces of techies and non-techies alike. If you’re looking for something that’s been under the microscope, hop on over to the GadgetsLab and see whether we’d recommend the the Intel Core i5-6600, Adata Premier SP550, HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 3776, Lenovo Yoga Book, Philips 246E7, and LG V20 as sock stuffers. If you’re feeling a bit more generous with your gifts, we also reviewed the Honda City 1.5 E CVT Limited Edition and 2015 Yamaha Bolt in our Mobility pages.

But maybe you don’t want to give physical things. Maybe you believe in experiences. Then check out our coverage of Lyon, France; the Azar video chat app; Deus Ex: Mankind Divided; Gears of War 4; The Ransom Collective musicians; and the Sandaya Yakiniku and Guevarra’s restaurants; just to name a few.

And to help sizzle the cold year end breeze, we’ve got the comeback king, Motorola, in our pages, accompanied by the dynamic duo of James Reid and Nadine Lustre. With all the above and more, this is definitely the season to be jolly.

Grab your copy of Gadgets Magazine’s November 2016 Holiday Wishlist issue at your favorite bookstores and newsstands, as well as digitally, via Buqo and Magzter!